Submissions

To: Social Services and Community Committee
Date: October 2024

Purpose

This submission’s primary purpose is to express strong support for the Bill's progression. DPA aims to highlight the vital role social workers play in supporting disabled people while also emphasizing the importance of strengthening regulatory provisions to address past unprofessional conduct and abuse, as exposed by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA supports this Bill proceeding. DPA recognizes that a considerable number of disabled people rely on the advice and support provided by social workers to navigate the disabling society they live in. Many social workers are employed by disability service providers and other government and non-government organizations, and their work is highly regarded in the disability community for often acting as advocates for disabled people seeking to access services and support.
 
However, DPA acknowledges that there have been times when a minority of social workers have been unprofessional and even perpetuated or been party to the historic abuse of disabled people, as related by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care Whanaketia report. For this reason, DPA welcomes the Bill's provisions which strengthen the powers of the Social Worker Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal to suspend and investigate social workers for unprofessional conduct and/or committing criminal offenses.
 
Key Finding:

DPA supports this Bill proceeding.
 
Supporting Statement 1:

The Bill strengthens provisions around the ability of the Social Worker Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal to suspend and investigate social workers for either unprofessional conduct and/or committing criminal offences while employed within the profession.
 
Supporting Statement 2:

These provisions recognize the power imbalance which exists between social workers and clients and the importance of recognizing this as part of safe practice.